bull
An adult male cow or similar large farm animal, often very strong and sometimes dangerous.
An adult male of cattle, or a similar large animal such as a bison, often kept for breeding or used in farming or sports like rodeos and bullfighting.
A person who thinks prices on the stock market will go up and buys or keeps shares because of this; also, a time when prices are going up.
An investor or trader who expects the price of stocks, currencies, or other assets to rise and therefore buys or holds them; by extension, a market or period characterized by generally rising prices.
Informal: things that someone says that are not true, not serious, or stupid; a softer form of the word *bullshit*.
Informal and mildly rude: statements or ideas that are nonsense, dishonest, or clearly not true, often used as a shorter form of “bullshit.”
Informal: a man who is very strong or who moves and acts in a hard, heavy way, like a bull.
A man who is very big and physically strong, or who behaves in a heavy, forceful, or aggressive way, compared to a bull.
A very official paper from the Pope that gives an important order or decision in the Catholic Church.
A formal document issued by the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, often dealing with important religious, legal, or political matters.
In astrology, the sign called Taurus, which has a bull as its symbol, or a person with this star sign.
In astrology, the sign of Taurus, symbolized by a bull, or a person born under this sign.
Slang and somewhat old‑fashioned: a police officer or prison guard, usually a strong or hard one.
Slang, mainly North American and dated: a police officer, detective, or prison guard, especially one seen as tough or rough.
To go forward by pushing hard through people or things, not being careful or gentle.
To move forward in a heavy, forceful way, pushing through people or obstacles without much care; often used in phrases like “bull one’s way through.”
Informal: to make someone do something by being very strong and forceful with them, not by asking politely.
Informal: to pressure, intimidate, or push someone into doing something, often by being very forceful or aggressive rather than reasonable; usually in the phrase “bull someone into (doing) something.”
- Base: bull
- Plural: bull, bulls
- Base: bull
- 3rd Person Singular: bulls
- Present Participle: bulling
- Past: bulled
bull market
1period of generally rising prices
A time in the financial market when prices of shares and other assets are going up and many investors feel confident.
- After years of slow growth, a new bull market in tech stocks began.
- Many small investors entered the market during the long bull market.
- Analysts are unsure how long the current bull market can last.
bull run
1strong, continued rise in prices
A period of time when prices in a financial market go up a lot and keep going up.
- The long bull run in housing prices has made homes very expensive.
- Investors worry that the bull run in cryptocurrencies may soon end.
- We’re in the middle of a powerful bull run in energy stocks.
bull session
1informal, free conversation or discussion
An informal, relaxed talk where people speak freely, often for a long time, about ideas, plans, or personal things.
- We stayed up late having a bull session about politics and music.
- College students love late‑night bull sessions in the dorm.
- The meeting turned into a friendly bull session after the main agenda was done.
bull’s-eye
1the exact center or perfect hit
The exact center of a target; also, a shot or action that hits exactly the right place or result.
- She hit the bull’s-eye with her first arrow.
- The marketing campaign was a bull’s-eye, reaching exactly the right customers.
- Your answer was a bull’s-eye—exactly what I was looking for.
like a bull in a china shop
1very clumsy or tactless in a delicate situation
To move or act in a way that is very clumsy or not careful in a situation where you need to be gentle or polite.
- He’s charming with friends but in meetings he’s like a bull in a china shop.
- She handled the sensitive negotiation like a bull in a china shop and upset everyone.
- Don’t go into that discussion like a bull in a china shop; be polite and calm.
shoot the bull
1talk idly or casually
To talk in a relaxed way about unimportant things, just for fun.
- We just sat on the porch and shot the bull all afternoon.
- They like to meet on Fridays to shoot the bull over a few beers.
- Instead of working, they spent an hour shooting the bull in the break room.
strong as a bull
1extremely physically strong
Very strong physically.
- Even in his seventies, my grandfather was strong as a bull.
- You’ll need someone strong as a bull to move that piano.
- The new fitness trainer is strong as a bull and very energetic.
cock and bull story
1Unbelievable made-up story
A silly story that is not true, often told to explain something.
- He came up with some cock and bull story about why he was late.
- He gave the police some cock and bull story about being kidnapped by aliens.
- That excuse is just a cock and bull story.
- That’s a cock and bull story if I ever heard one.
- The company’s excuse for the delay sounded like a cock and bull story.
take the bull by the horns
1face a problem bravely and directly
To deal with a difficult or scary problem in a direct and brave way, instead of waiting or hiding.
- It was time to take the bull by the horns and talk to his boss about the mistake.
- It's time to take the bull by the horns and talk to your boss about the issue.
- She finally took the bull by the horns and ended the unhealthy relationship.
- She took the bull by the horns and called the customer to apologize.
- The government must take the bull by the horns and reform the tax system.